Printing



' April 9, 1940.

'H. D.- COLMAN 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Haward .D., Calman mm,

WVM.

ATTORNEYS April 9, 1940. HJD. COLMAN PRINTING F1106. Fib. 7. 1936 12Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Howard D. 'Colman ATTORNEYS //3 BY M ,M.

April 9, 1940- H.- D. CQLMAN 2,196,354

- PRINTING V Filed Feb. 7, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR Howard .D.Colman H. D. COLMAN PRINTING Filed Feb. 7, 1-936 prils, 1940.

12 Sheets-Sheet 4 A; iORNEYS April 9, 1940. -H. D. COLMAN murmur:

Filed Fab. 7. 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENT OR Howard D. ColmanATTORNEYS April 9, 1940.

H. D. COLMAN mumme Find Feb. '7, 1956 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 3 INVENTORHoward B.

Colman M4 TI'ORNEYS 'H. D. COLMAN mumme Filed F eb. 7, 1936.

April 9, 1940.

12 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR Howard C0/man 6-2.. M/%,M

A'ITORNEYS April 9, 1940. H; D. COLMAN PRINTING Filed Feb. 7, 1936 12Sheets-Sheet 9 1 a g l INVENTORV Howard D. C o/man BY v - ATTORNEYS P1940- H. 0. coLMAfl 2,196,354

\ PRINTING Filed-Feb. 'T. 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 INVENTOR Howard .D.Colman ATI'ORN EYS April 9 H. D. COLMAN 2,196,354

- PRINTING v Filed Feb. 7. 19:56 12 Sheets-sheaf 12 INVENTQR Y Howard.D. Colman ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT orricsPRINTING Howard D. Colman, Rockford, Ill. Application February 'z, 1936,Serial No. 62,742

188 Claims.

The invention pertains to printers of the general class in which thecharacters are impressed upon the writing medium in succession, andconcerns more especially printers of the page type suitable for use inprinting telegraphy, accounting machines, and for proof printing inconjunction with machines for perforating tapes to be used in thecontrol of type casting, printing and allied typographicmachines.

One object of the invention is to provide a high speed page printer inwhich the printing operation progresses from one line to the next at thesame rate as between successive characters in the same line, therebyeliminating the delay usually consumed by the return movement of thepaper carriage.

Another object is to provide a new and improved method of printing inwhich each character to be printed is simultaneously formed in all ofthe possible character positions in a line, and wherein the position inthe line at which the character thus formed is to be printed isdetermined by the operation of one of a series of impression elementsrespectively operative'in the various character positions.

In carrying out the foregoing objects of the invention I employ aprinting head composed of a plurality of very thin flat strips arrangedside by side in the form of a pack, and slidable longitudinally relativeto each other. In the embodiment illustrated the strips are elongated inform, and on one edge or face of the pack formed by the strips are aplurality of spaced sets of character-forming elements in the nature ofprojections terminating in relatively blunt points or facets. -Each setor group of elements thus constitutes a convertible type composed ofdelineating points or facets which may be shifted into differentpermutational combinations to form letters, figures and other charactersas may be desired. The respective sets are spaced apart lengthwise oftheprinting head a distance equal to the space between adjacentcharacters to be printed, and upon the shifting of the strips into anypredetermined combination, the same character is formed simultaneouslyin each of the character positions in a line. Therefore, the position inthe line at which .a desired character is to be printed may bedetermined by the operation of the proper one of a series of printing orimpression elements, herein termed anvils, of which there is one foreach character position. In normal operation such anvils are actuatedprogressively from one type to the next. By shifting the strips of thepack into diiferent characterforming combinations during the intervalbetween the movements of adjacent anvils, it is possible for thesuccessive anvils to eflect the printing of different characters intheir proper order; and in order to change from one line to '6 the nextit is only necessary to control the proper anvils and during suchcontrol to eflect a line feed by shifting the paper or other writingmedium.

Letters or other characters printed by means of type formed as above setforth, while not particuiii larly adapted for use where sharply definedcharacters are required, are well suited for use where exactness incharacter outline can be sacrificed for the sake of speed, as inrecording business transactions in connection with automatic 110- 15counting and like machines; in printing telegraphic communications; andin the preparation of a record or proof simultaneously withtheperforation of control forms for use in typesetting, type-writing andallied composing machines. 2o Hence while in its broader aspects theinvention aims to provide a new and improved mode of printing, it hasfor its special object the provision oi a high speed type-writingmachine or printer of a practical character.

While the improved printer is adapted for control in various ways, asfor instance through the use of signal responsive selecting mechanismwell understood in the telegraph and allied arts, for certain purposesit is desirable that the control 30 be manual in character. Accordingly,it is another obiect of my invention to provide a printer havingcharacter-forming elements of the kind above referred to and arrangedfor selective operationby means of a keyboard.

A further object is to provide for power actuation of the machine underthe control of a keyboard with selectively operable mechanisms of arelatively simple character for performing the various functions.

Another object is to provide for the control of the direction ofprogression in printing a line character-by-character, through theprovision of means for reversing at will the normal direction ofprogression from-left to right.

Still another object is to provide a type-forming printer whereinprovision is made for selecting anyone of various positions in a linefor the impression point, whereby to permit printing in tabuiar form. 50

Another object is to provide for the printing simultaneously of aplurality of original records on separate sheets under the control of asingle character selecting mechanism.

For certain uses of the machine, as for exis ample, printing telegraphy,the characters may be printed in one font and case, as for example,upper case roman. However, as above indicated, it is contemplated thatthe printer may be used for the purpose of producing printed proof ofmatter set up simultaneously in the form of signal perforations in acontrol tape such as is used in the control of typographic machines, andin such machines the subject matter printed may require the use not onlyof upper and lower case type but also a plurality of different fonts. Insuch event, it is desirable that the printed proof show in addition tothe character which is perforated in the control tape, the case and fontof such character. Accordingly, it is an object of my invention toprovide for the printing of appropriate symbols adjacent each of thecharacters as printed and indicating the case and font of thecorresponding signal which may be perforated in an associated controltape.

The objects of the invention thus set forth. together with other andancillary advantages are attained by the construction and arrangementillustrated in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter moreparticularly described, it being understood that various changes in theconstruction and arrangement may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from. the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a printing or typewriting machineembodying my inventron.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of such machine.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken approximately in the planeof line 8-5] of Figs 2.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the construction andarrangement of the actuating plates and associated shifting de vices,shown in their normal or inactive positions.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the type forming means-andmore particularly the actuating means therefor.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the typeforming strips.

Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the relation of the type forming facetswhen positioned with respect to a printing anvil to form a space blank.

Figs. '1, 8 and 9 are fragmentary vertical sectional views illustratingthe manner in which the facet carrying strips are shifted relative toeach other to form different characters and symbols,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the centralportion of the machine and illustrating particularly the mechanism forcontrolling the operation of the anvils.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately in the planeof line it of Fig. 10, and illustrating the mechanism for changing thedirection of progression of the printing operation.

Figs. 12 and 13 are fragmentary perspective views further illustratingthe anvil actuating and control mechanism, the latter figure showing therelation of the parts when one of the anvils is advanced to theimpression point.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of several anvils and their controlarms and illustrating in broken lines the position of the control armswhen shifted into position to-reverse the direction of progression ofprinting.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the key controlmechanism for initiating mo em an operating cycle of the cam shaft andalso showing the means for actuating the wvil reverse mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a detail view illustrating the opera-= tion of the clutchtrip-off latch device when a key is held depressed.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the key controlledcode and combination bar mechanism governing the selective operation ofthe printing head for purposes of character and symbol formation, andalso illustrating the anvil blanking mechanism.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary plan view showing in connection with thekeyboard of the machine the lrey operated codal elements or flags andthe various control bars associated therewith.

Fig. 18 is a detail view illustrating the construction employed forpreventing the operation at one time of more than one of three controlkeys employed in connection with the operation of the symbol printingtype elements.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the control ofthe anvil advance mechanism for tabulatlng purposes and amo the meansfor conditioning the first oi the printing anvils preparatory to aprinting operation beginning at the left hand end of the printing head.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view show ing the hey controlledline or paper feed mechanlsm.

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the arrangement to beemployed in printing simultanecusly at separate points as in the case oithe making of a plurality of original records at the same time.

In German.

as herein shown (Figs. 1 and 2), my improved printer comprises anelongated printing head i extending horizontally in the upper rearportion of the structure and of a length corresponding to the maximumlength of line to be printed. On the front face of the head, spacedapart lengthwise thereof a distance determined by the letter spacing tobe employed, are groups or sets of character-delineating elementsarranged in two longitudinal rows one above the other and constitutingconvertible type 2 and 2 (Fig. 12); and mounted for endwise front torear movement forwardly of the head i is a series of impression elementsor anvils 3, one for each possible character position in the line andtherefore one for each of the type 2.

The delineating elements forming the type 2 and 2' are formed on thinmetallic strips (Figs. 4 and 5) capable of being shift/ed relative toeach other to form difierent characters by power driven mechanismoperating under the control of a series of vertical combination bars 3se lectively set in different pcrmutational combinations as determinedby a group of horizontal code bars E3 below and parallel to the printinghead.

To actuate the anvils 3 to effect the printing of selected characters, Iemploy a power driven reciprocatory actuator l hereinafter termed theprinting bar. This bar extends 1ongitudinally of the machine inforwardly spaced relation to the printing head and carries a series ofanvil-engaging elements in the form of pivoted dogs 3.

The power driven mechanism comprises a cam shaft il formed in twosections 9 and 8 The former extends in a front to rear direction at theright hand end of the machine and drives spring steel of a thickness ofapproximately .003

the printing head in the type-forming operation; and the latter extendslongitudinally of the machine in the upper rear portion thereof and isoperatively connected with the printing bar to reciprocate it in a frontto rear direction. The

two sections 9 and 9 are connected by bevel gearing 6, and the shaft isarranged for operation in successive cycles under the control of afriction clutch l at the extended rear end of the shaft section 9.

The anvils 3 are controlled for successive operation by means in thenature of a carry-over mechanism acting as an incident to the operationof one anvil in one cycle of the printing bar to condition the nextanvil to be operated for engagement by its actuating dog 8 in thesucceeding cycle. This mechanism includes in the preferred embodiment aseries of control elements each in the form of an elongated arm llpivoted to each of the anvils and operatively associated with a nextadjacent anvil for movement thereby in said conditioning operation; Topermit a change in the direction of progression of the printingoperation, the arms I l are adapted to be shifted from association withthe anvil next adjacent in one direction into a similar relation to theanvil next adjacent in the opposite direction.

While the mechanism for controlling the selective operation of themachine may vary widely in construction according to the different usesto which the machine is applied, in the present embodiment, I haveprovided for this purpose a keyboard l2 including a group of characterkeys together with a space key, arranged substantially in accordancewith standard typewriter practice; a number of symbol keys controllingthe printing of different symbols representing various fonts; and inaddition a plurality of control or function keys. Each of the characterkeys and most of the function keys is operable through appropriatemechanism to initiate an operating cycle of the machine through theactuation of the cam shaft 9 under the control of the clutch ill.

Type forming The printing head I comprises'a main type pack I a forletters and other characters and an auxiliary symbol printing pack I".As shown in Figs. and 7, the main pack comprises a plurality of thinribbon-like strips it formed with similarly shaped character-forming ordelineating elements IS in the nature of projections.

r 'equidistantly spaced apart along the forward edges of the strips andproviding relatively blunt points or facets 13. Each strip it thusprovides a carrier for one delineating element of each of a plurality ofsets respectively constituting the convertible type 2, which are spacedapart longitudinally of the pack a distance corresponding to the spacingof the letters of a line to be printed. The strips ii are .freelyshiftable longitudinally relative to each other to vary the positions oftheir respective elements II in converting from one type character toanother, and the facets of an inch, and the spacing of the guides M suchas to provide a space of approximately .001 of an inch between thestrips to receive a film of oil or other lubricant.

The strips it of the type pack I are shifted into different characterforming combinations by means including a plurality of shifting devicesl5 each comprising two drive bars I! and adapted for coaction with aplurality of sets of actuating surfaces formed on the individual Theactuating surfaces are formed in the present instance by providing inthe strips l3 slots 16 (Figs. 5 and '7) whose opposite ends are utilizedto form two sets of opposed actuating surfaces or shoulders I! and I1.The slots it are arranged in three longitudinal rows as, shown, and eachstrip has its slots occupying generally the same but yet slightlyvarying endwise positions as the slots in other strips so as to form aseries of holes through the pack I, one for each character to be formed.Thus the pack may be said to have an A hole, a B hole, a C hole, etc.,with each hole providing a set of actuating surfaces in the form of theshoulders I1 and H.

One pair of drive bars I5 is entered in each character hole and projectsdownwardly therefrom for connection with a combination bar 4 of theselecting mechanism. As best shown in Fig. 4, the lower ends of the barsof each pair are transversely slidable on pins 20 carried by yokes 2|rigid with the upper ends of the combination bars 4, thereby permittinga movement of separation between the bars of each pair. To permitalinement in a longitudinal row of the lower or notched portions of allthe combination bars.

whose upper ends are connected with drive bars 15* arranged in threerows (Fig. 10), such upper ends of the combination bars are -offsetlaterally, as shownin Fig. 10 in the case of all but the intermediaterows.

The shifting devices are allowed to move downwardly selectively underthe control of the code and combination bars I, 5; and upon a fixeddownward movement of any one pair of drive bars, the power drivenactuating means, to be presently described, engages the selected pair ofbars causing them to move a predetermined distance in oppositedirections for the purpose of carrying into alinement all of theshoulders I! and similarly all of the shoulders ll of the correspondingcharacter hole.

when the drive bars l5- fora givencharacter hole are thus actuated toaline vertically the corresponding sets of shoulders I! and I! respec--tively', the strips ll of the pack I are relatively shifted so as tocause each set of type facets I! along the front face of the pack to beshifted in contiguous parallel planes, and thus convert the various typefaces from the previously formed character to the charactercorresponding to the selected hole. It will be apparent, thereforejthatit is necessary, for a proper shifting of the strips it into variouscharacter-forming combinations,

that the shoulders l1 and I'I of each character hole be properlypositioned on their respective strips relative to the positions to beoccupied by the elements l3 on the strips forming the correspondingcharacters.

In cutting the slots it so as to provide the proper relation between theshoulders of each character hole, advantage is taken of the letter I asa basic character, since in forming this letter the facets it of eachgroup are arranged in vertical alinement centrally of each character po=sition, while the shoulders E l, l l of the I hole are also alinedvertically. This arrangement is il= lustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9wherein the Q, I and W holes of the pack are shown and the manner inwhich the strips it are shifted to form these several characters. InFig. 7, the I hole and a portion of the Q hole is shown in section, andthe front face of the pack is shown in elevation at the right of thefigure with the facets outlining the letter I. If from this relation ofthe facets, it is desired to shift them into a combination representingthe letter W, for example, the shifting device for the W hole isactuated as shown in Fig. 8. It will be apparent that some of the stripsare shifted in one direction and some in the other. In forming theletter W, for example, such shifting provides, in the case of each type2, four relatively inclined rows of facets with the facets in each rowspaced the minimum distance apart. Similarly, the shifting of the stripsfrom. the W relation shown in Fig. 8 to the Q relation is effected bythe actuation of the shifting device iii of the Q hole (Fig. 9)

It will be observed that coincident with the positioning of the facets Wfrom the I-forming combination (Fig. 7) to the W combination (Fig. 8), acorresponding shifting of the shoulders ll, W of the I-hole must occur,with the result that the ends of the slots 86 forming the I-holerespectively outline the letter W. The same relation of the facets tothe arrangement of slots of the I-hole occurs in the case of the othercharacters, es in the case of the letter Q, Fig. 9. Thus it follows thatif the slots for each character hole are so cut that their opposite endedges outline the character corresponding thereto when the ends of theslots of the I-hole are in alinement, the proper relationship isefiected.

It will be observed from the foregoing that in converting the type facesfrom one character formation to another the strips it of the type packare shifted to a. greater or less degree ranging from zero to apredetermined maximum depending on the comparative contours of the twosuccessively formed characters. Also it will be seen that some of thefacets are shifted in one direction and some in the other. This isadvantageous especially in the case of a printer operating at high speedin that it reduces to a minimum the kinetic energy of rapidly movingparts which must be started and stopped in each character-formingoperation. Moreover, since the actuation of the strips is effected bytwo bars operated at high speed in opposite directions simultaneously,the time required for each character operation is reduced verysubstantially.

Preferably the two uppermost and the two lowermost facets it of each setof character-forming elements are made substantially longer than theintermediate facets. This improves the appearance of the characters inwhich the facets are arranged in one or more straight rows, and in thecase of the characters in which the outlines are of circular formationat their upper and lower ends the elongated facets are alsoadvanta eous.

Space or blank character formation-T provide spaces between the words ina line. the strips it of the main type pack I are shifted to carryaisaass the type elements it! into inactive position relative to theimpression elements or anvils 3. For this purpose the type-forming ordelineating elements iii are shifted into a special formation (Fig. 6)in which they are arranged in two vertical rows disposed on oppositesides of the normal character position, with the distance between thetwo rows slightly greater than the width of each of the impressionelements or anvils 3, so that the latter are adapted to be receivedbetween the two rows when advanced to the printing or impression point.Accordingly, the type pack I is provided with an additional hole formedby slots i6 providing shoulders ll and H with which a pair of drive barsiii are adapted to be encaged selectively just as in the case of theother holes. To permit of the increased range of movement of theelements it necessary for this purpose, it is of course essential thatthe groups of elements forming the type 2 be appropriately spaced alongthe face of the type peck so that the normal spaces between the type mayaccommandate the two rows of elements.

It will be observed that this method of shifting the type facets out ofthe path of operation of the impression elements or anvils 3, provides avery simple expedient for introducing a space between words as may bedesired. In addition such space combination is available for use shouldit be desirable to render the anvils ineffective to print, withoutmodifying in any way, the operation of the anvils themselves, as willappear hereinafter in connection with the description of themiscellaneous control mechanisms. In either case, the type facets may besaid to be shifted to form a blanlr character.

Formation of small characters-As in ordinary typewriter practice,certain characters, such as punctuation marks, occupy only a very smallportion of the normal area required for letters, figures, etc. Thus, theperiod, for example, requires for its formation only four facets.Accordingly, the holes in the case of such small characters are sodesigned as to shift, into inactive positions at opposite sides of thecharacter position, all of the facets not necessary to be used informing this particular character, the operation being like thatdescribed for the space blank except for the one or more facetsnecessary to he used.

Power drive for type formin When a given character, including the spaceor blank, is to be formed along the front face of the tympact; the drivebars l5", which are entered in the corresponding hole of the type pack,are first moved downwardly a predetermined distance for connection withthe power driven actuating means. The latter consists generslly of twopairs of reciprocable actuators 23 and 26 (Figs. 4 and 3) which areoperatively connected with the cam shaft section 9 for movement inopposite directions.

In the present instance the actuators 23 and M are in the form ofelongated plates extending parallel to the type pack i with the platesof each pair disposed on opposite sides of the pack and spaced 9. shortdistance from the plates of the other pair (Fig. 4). The drive bars l5entered through the character holes project from opposite sides of thepool: so that when the bars of a given pair are selected for actuation,they may be engaged both above and below the pack for a movement ofseparation by the two pairs of oppositely moving actuators. Thus, eachbar of the udected pair is adapted to be engaged by two actuators movingin the same direction, but on opposite sides of the pack.

For the purpose of providing for an operative connection between anyselected pair of drive bars I! and their actuators; the two pairs ofplates 23 and 24 are formed with three rows of slots 21 (Fig. 3)corresponding with the three rows of character holes in the type pack;and in the opposite side edges of each of said slots is a pair ofnotches 28 cut to form two sets of opposed shoulders 29 and 39 (Fig. 3')for each character hole, the shoulders 29 being formed on the plates 23moving in one direction, and the shoulders 30 on the plates 24 moving inopposite di-.

rection. For coaction with said shoulders 29 and 39 each drive bar isformed in each side edge with two longitudinally spaced notches 3| and32 positioned'reversely in the case of the two bars of each pair. Whenthe bars are in raised or inactive position, the actuator plates 23 and24 are free to slide through the notches 3| and 32, but when loweredinto active position they present to the oppositely moving shoulders 29and 30, actuating surfaces 33 and 34. Each of the surfaces 33 is formedby the upper edge portions of the notches 3|, and each surface 34 isformed by an intermediate portion in the form of a lug projecting intoeach of the notches 32. I

It will thus be seen that when any given pair of bars is loweredselectively in the corresponding character hole, each of the bars willbe acted upon through the interengagement of the shoulders 29 on theplates 23 with the actuating surfaces 33, 34 of one of the drive barsl". and of the shoulders 30 on the plates 24 with the actuating surfaces33, 34 on the other drive bar of the selected pair. As a result, thedrive bars will be spread apart so that the opposed shoulders l1 and i!at opposite ends of the corresponding character hole will be engaged bythe bars and moved into vertical alinement. As an incident to suchalining movement of the shoulders the strips of the type pack areshifted into proper character-forming combination. as above described.

The arrangement employed in the printing head for spacing the actuatorplates 23'and 24 from each other and from the type pack is bestillustrated in Fig. 4. Spacing of the inner plates 24 from the pack isaccomplished by the guide plates l4, which are slotted longitudinally toreceive the drive bars and held in vertically spaced relation by anarrow spacer 35 at the rear edge of the type pack: and spacing of theouter plates 23 from the plates 24 is accomplished by longitudinallyslotted separator plates 36. The outermost actuator plates 23 are guidedat their upper and lower faces by longitudinally slotted top and bottomplates 31. The entire unit constituting the printing head i is supportedat opposite ends by side frame members 38' (Fig. 3).

The cam means for reciprocating the two pairs of actuator plates 23 and24 in the characterforming operation, each comprises a pair of cams 4|and 42 mounted on the section 9 of the cam shaft 9 and respectivelycoacting with roller followers 44 and 45 disposed on opposite sides ofthe shaft. The two followers are journaled between two pairs ofvertically disposed plates 46 and 41 (Fig. 2) guided for longitudinalmovement in grooves 41 cut in the top and bottom walls of a suitablehousing 48, the top plate being omitted from Fig. 2 to expose the cammeans. The pair of plates 48 are connected to the actuator plates 23.bymeans of a block 49 (Figs. 2 and 4), and the plates" by a block 50. Theplates 46 are fastened to opposite sides of the block 49 at one endthereof, and the plates 23 are reduced in width and connected to the topand bottom of the block at the other end thereof. In a similar way theplates 41 are connected to the actuator plates 24 through the medium ofthe connector block 50.

Symbol forming The sub-pack l of the printing head is, as

above indicated, provided for the purpose of the convertible symbol type2 one for eachcharacter position along the printing headand preferablydisposed below the convertible type 2. Said strips [3' are supported forendwise shifting movement in a manner generally similar to the stripsl3. They are provided with a plurality of holes formed by slots l6 cutin the strips and corresponding in number to the number of symbols tobeformed, there being six in the present instance, and to provideclearance for the drive bars l5 of the main pack the strips are suitablyslotted.

Projecting through each of the symbol holes is a pair of drive bars l5for' coaction with shoulders l1 and ii formed by the ends of the slots16' just as in the case of the character holes. Because the symbols areformed simultaneously with the formation of letters, figures, et cetera,formed by the convertible type 2, the same actuator plates 23 and 24 maybe employed as in the case of the drive bars for the character holes ofthe main pack. To accommodate the additional drive bars the plates 23and '24 are of course formed with additional slots 21. In otherrespects, the driving connections between the drive bars and theactuating plates are the same as for the drive bars of the main pack.

By the proper arrangement of the shoulders I1 and I1 formed by the endsof the slots IS, the three strips l3 may be shifted by the differentpairs of drive bars into different relative relations so that theirfacets i3 will form different symbol combinations. In the example shownin Figs. 7 to 9, one such symbol is formed by the facets relativelydisposed in a steppedrelation. For other symbols, they may be ar-'ranged in oppositely stepped-relation, disposed in vertical alinement,and otherwise positioned relative to each other for purposes ofdifferentiation. In all, eight different combinations are made availableby the use of three strips when shifted into different relativepositions, three being necessary to provide for six symbols as hereincontemplated.

By the arrangement set forth, the strips of the sub-pack l may beshifted into different combinations to form different symbolscoincidental with the operation of forming characters on the main pack.For this purpose their drive bars l5 are connected with six of thecombination bars 4 for selective positioning under the control of thecode bars 6, as hereinafter set forth.

The section 9" of the cam shaft 9, carrying the cams 4| and 42 foractuating the printing head in the type forming operation, is suitablymounted in bearings provided by the housing 48. Its rear end extendsbeyond the gearing connection 6 with the other section 9 into operativerela-- tion with the clutch I0. To support the latter shaft section, thetwo side frame members 38 are equipped with suitable bearings 38. A topplate 39 overlying the side frame membersis extended to the left of themachine and has a bearing member 3E! secured to its underside forsupporting the end of the shaft section 9.

Anvil operation 1n the present embodiment the impression anvils 3 arearranged for individual reciprocation toward and from the printing head.The paper or other medium upon which the characters are printed isherein shown in the form of a sheet A of the size commonly used for pageprinting, which sheet is positioned directly in front of the type pack;and in front of the sheet A in turn is an inked ribbon 52. The imprinton the sheet A is effected by the operation of the anvils actuated bythe printing bar 1 by power derived from the cam shaft 9, the latterbeing equipped with suitable cams for this purpose. Thus the anvilsconstitute impression elements operating to compress the paper A betweenthe ribbon and the type 2 and 2 and this by a cam-controlled motion andwith a predetermined pressure as distinguished from the usually employedsharp blow or impact.

The anvils 3 are in the form of plungers (Figs. 10 and 12) stamped fromthin flat strips of metal and having elongated shanks 53 with impressionheads 54 at their rear ends. To support the anvils for reciprocation,the machine framework has two parallel bars 55 and 56 (Fig. 10)extending longitudinally of the printing head and spaced apartvertically so as to receive between them the anvils 3 and theirassociated control elements or arms H. The bar 56 is formed as a part ofa central standard 56.

To guide the anvils for reciprocation and to maintain them in laterallyspaced relation lengthwise of the printing head I, slotted plates 51 and58 are provided, the former secured at the rear edges of the frame bars55 and 56, and the latter secured at the forward edge of the upper framebar 55. The anvils are constantly urged forwardly, away from theprinting head by individual upright leaf springs 55 having their upperends engaging with depending portions 68 offset forwardly from the heads5d. The lower ends of the springs are suitably anchored as at 6| to theframework.

The printing bar 1 constituting the actuator for the anvils 3, isconstructed so as to receive and support the series of actuating dogs 8,one for each of the anvils. Said dogs are also in the form of sheetmetal stampings, each being generally T-shaped in form so as to providea forward pivotal portion 63, a shank portion 64 and a rear head portionhaving 2. depending nose 65 adapted for engagement with a notch 66 cutin the upper edge of its corresponding anvil shank 53 at the forward endof the latter.

The dogs 8 of the printing bar 1 (Figs. 10, 12 and 13) are supported andguided for pivotal movement in the printing bar, being arranged inlaterally spaced relation corresponding to the lateral spacing of theanvil shanks 53. For this purpose the bar 1 comprises two fiat elongated-top plate 68 is formed with slots 14 and 16 respectively receivingupper extensions 16 and 11 at the forward and rear ends respectively ofthe dogs. Individual leaf springs 18. mounted on the bar, bear upon theextensions '16 of the dogs and constantly urge their rearward endsdownwardly for purposes of engagement with the anvil shanks 53.

The printing bar I is suitably supported and guided at opposite ends ofthe machine for front to rear movement (Figs. 2.and 3). For thispurpose, said bar has secured to each end an elongated bar 19 guided ingrooves 19 out in the inner side faces of two vertical side bars nearthe upper end thereof. At their rear ends, said bars are similarlyguided in ways formed in the side frame members 38 and top plate 39, andbetween the rear end of each bar and a short plate 8| are mounted tworollers 82 and 82 respectively, coacting with two cams 83 and 83 on thecam shaft section 9' In each operating cycle of the cam shaft, theprinting bar executes a com plete reciprocation in timed relation to theshifting of the strips l3 and i3 of the printing head in thetype-forming operation.

In each type-forming operation the same character or symbol is formedsimultaneously in each of the character positions lengthwise of theprinting head. Therefore, it will be seen that the position in the lineat which the formed character and symbol are to be printed is determinedby the establishment of an operative association between the printingbar I and the particular anvil 3 which corresponds to the aforesaidposition.

In normal operation the anvils 3 are actuated in progressive order fromleft to right until the last character in a given line has been printed.Thereupon, the paper or other writing medium is advanced to a new lineand a corresponding progressive actuation of the anvils commenced forthat line. However, it may be desirable under some circumstances, tochange the normal direction of progression of the anvils in order thatthe printing operation may progress reversely, i. e., from right toleft. Also it may sometimes be desirable that the operator be able toselect at will any desired position in the line for the impression pointand this without regard to the previous impression point. With this inview the anvil control means comprises (Figs. 12 to 14) a series ofshiftable elements in the form of the elongated arms ii and a series ofpawls 85, one for each anvil.

The construction and mode of operation of the anvil arms ii, the pawls85 coacting with said arms and the anvil shanks 53, may well bedescribed first in connection with the normal progression of theprinting operation from left to right. In this connection, each anvilmay be said to have three positions. Thus, when any anvil is in itsnormal position, it may be said to be in its number one position; whenpartially shifted so that its notch 66 is in position to receive thenose 65 of its actuating dog 8, it is in its numher two position; andwhen moved by its dog 8 to its number two position, as an incident tothe.

operation of the next adjacent or preceding anvil into its number threeposition. It may here be .noted, however, that in the case of the firstanvil at the left-hand end of the series, it is necessary to providespecial means to effect the aforesaid conditioning movement thereof.This means will be hereinafter described more particularly in connectionwith the selective control mechanisms responsive to the operation of thekeyboard. For present purposes, it will suflice to say that it comprisesa conditioning member 3 for the No. 1 anvil adapted-for actuation by adog 8' of the printing head in a manner similar to the anvils 3. Thismember, however, has no arm II and is moved into its number two positionthrough the operation of a lever N (Fig. 19) pivotally associatedtherewith and actuated upon the commencement of a new line by powerderived from the cam shaft 8. It'will be observed that the conditioningmember I is in the nature of a dummy anvil, having per so no printingfunction. li'orv convenience, it will hereinafter be referred to as theNo. 0 anvil.

Referring now toFigs. 12 and 13, each of the anvil arms I I has its rearend pivotally connected to its corresponding anvil! near the rear end ofthe latter, which for this purpose has its depending portion 60 formedwith a forwardly opening slot 81 shaped intermediate its end to receivea rounded enlargement 8| formed on the end of the arm ll. At theirforward ends, the arms -II are guided for reciprocation in a slottedplate I! so as to be maintained in laterally spaced relationcorresponding to the spacing of the anvil shanks 53. However, the arm IIwhich is connected with any given anvil is normally inclined laterallyrelative thereto so that its forward end is associated with the nextadjacent anvil. Thus, in the case of the normal progression from left toright, the arm ll of the No. 1 anvil is inclined for association withthe No. 0 anvil; the arm of the No. 2 anvil is associated with the No. 1anvil; and the arm of the third anvil is associated with the secondanvil, and

ample the No. 1 anvil, is moved to its No. 3 position (Fig. 13) in thelatter portion of such movement the shoulder ll engaging with the lug llof the arm I I attached to the No. 2 anvil, imparts a short movement tothe latter anvil. In such movement, anvil No. 2 is conditioned forengagement by its actuating dog I in the next succeeding cycle ofoperation as above described Similarly the subsequent actuation of theNo. 2 anvil into its printing position serves to condition No. 3 anvilfor the-succeeding cycle.

printing bar I, it is the flmction of each of the pawls I! (Fig. 13) toretain its anvil in its number two position pending engagement by itsactuating dog I in the succeeding cycle of operation.

Said pawls are in the form of sheet metal stampings pivotally supportedintermediate their ends on a fixed shaft 92 disposed in forwardly spacedrelation to the supporting plate 89 for the arms II. The pawls haverearwardly extending arms 93 arranged for cooperation with the forwardends of the anvil shanks 53, and for this purpose said arms 93 areformed with notches 94 adapted to receive the forward end portions 53 ofthe anvil shanks. The pawls are constantly urged by individual leafsprings 95 to position the upper ends of the notches 94 out of alinementwith said forward end portions 53' of the anvil shanks. Thus, when theanvils are fully, retracted, the forward ends of their shanks arereceived in the notches 94 of the pawls 85 and the latter are,therefore, in elevated position; and when an anvil is moved into itsnumber two position, its pawl is I forced downwardly by the spring 95thereby latching the anvil in such number two position.

In normal operation the latch devices or pawls I! are liftedindividually for the purpose of permitting return movement of the anvilsinto their number one positions. That is to say, as an incident to themovement of one anvil into its number two position, the pawl of thepreceding anvil is raised to permit return movement of that anvil in aretracting stroke of the printing bar I. To accomplish this result, eachof the pawls has its lower edge formed with a cam surface 96 (Figs. 12and 13) which is adapted for engagement by a complementary cam surface81 and dwell 91' formed in the upper edge of the arm I I associated withan adjacent anvil. Accordingly, when a selected an'vil is moved into itsnumber two position by the operation of thepreceding anvil into itsnumber three position, the arm ll of such selected anvil operates with acam action on the pawl of the preceding anvil to lift it into positionto receive the shank of said preceding anvil upon the return of theprinting bar to its fully retracted position. In this connection it willbe observed that during the return stroke, the pawl of the selectedanvil operates through the medium of its ,arm I I to hold the pawl ofthe preceding anvil in its elevated position.

While the forward end of a returning anvil thus enters its notch 94, thecorresponding actuating dog 8 is disengaged from the anvil. For thispurpose the nose 65 of each dog is provided with a cam surface lladapted to cooperate with a cam surface I" on the corresponding pawl 85.

Under some circumstances, it may be desirable to effect the return totheir number one positions of any of the impression anvils 3 which mayhave been moved to their number two positions. For this purpose each ofthe pawls 85, with the exception of that for the No. 0 anvil 3 isprovided with a depending'tail portion IN disposed in the path ofmovement of a bail in the form of a bar I62 mounted on a rock shaft Hi3and operable when rocked in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 12) toengage said tail pieces, thereby rocking the pawls to position theirnotches M in alinement with the forward ends of the shanks I! of theanvils l. Said shaft is adapted to be rocked by power derived from thecam shaft 0 under the control of a suitable key of the keyboard I!(termed the blanking key) in a manner hereinafter described.

In view of the reciprocatory character of the When it is desired tochange the direction of 7a allel shafts I suitably supported in a framemember I01 between which and a frame member I08 the plate is guided.

The shafts I06 have fixed thereon pinions I09 meshing on opposite sideswith two rack bars I I0 and III suitably guided for endwise movement onthe frame member I01. These rack bars and pinions are so arranged thatwhen longitudinal movements are imparted to the bars selectively theplate 89 and, therefore, the forward ends of the arms II are moved inone direction or the other. In Fig. 11 the parts are shown in theposition occupied for normal progression from' left to right, the plate89 having been shifted to the left by the movement of the lower rack barI II to the left, the upper bar moving at the same time to the right. Toeffect a reversal in the direction of progression it is only necessaryto move the upper rack bar III) to the left with a correspondingmovement to the right of the lower bar. In such shifting movements ofthe plate 89, the eccentrics in their rotation cause the guide plate tomove first downward, then laterally, and finally upward. -As an incidentto the downward movement of the plate 89, any arm II which has beenshifted in the movement of its anvil to its No. 2 position will clearthe lower rear ends of any of the pawls 85 which may be in their lowerpositions. The means for actuating the rack bars forms a part of the keycontrolled mechanism to be presently described.

, I2 comprises a group of character keys IIB including a space key M3for effecting the formation of a space or blank character, a case key-II3 a plurality of symbol selecting keys III-i (hereinafter called fontkeys"), and certain function keys later to be described.

The depression of any of said character and function keys serves toinitiate an operating cycle by tripping the friction clutch I0. Each hasa stem II4 (Fig. engageable with one arm of a bell crank IIB having itsother arm operative through the medium of a short abutment bar H6 toshift a codal element in the form of a notched bar or flag II1,individual leaf springs II8 acting upon the abutment bars II6 to holdthe keys in their elevated positions. The flags are in the form of barsnotched longitudinally of their upper edges and serving to control in awell known manner the operation of transversely disposed combinationbars hereinafter called "control bars." These are operative selectivelyto govern the type-forming operation and other functions of the machine.

The flags II1 of said character and function keys are extended to therear of the machine into operative association with means for trippingthe clutch I0 to initiate the machine cycles. This means is of suchcharacter so as to insure completion of one cycle and only one upon thedepression of any one key. It comprises (Fig. 15) a series of segmentsII9 one for each flag, operative upon the depression of the keys toactuate a bail I which in turn is operatively associated with the clutchI0. The segments I I9 are mounted on a fixed laterally extending shaftHI and each has a depending finger II9" engaging in a notch in one ofthe flags so as to swing forwardly upon the rearward movement of theflag and against the action of a spring H9".

The bail I20 is in the form of an elongated bar supported at itsopposite ends by arms I20 upon a rock shaft I22 so as to underlie thesegments I I9 in forwardly offset relation to the rock shaft. Extendingrearwardly from the rock shaft I22 is an arm I23 entered between twospring pawls I24 and I25 suitably secured together in spaced relationand forming a latch device adapted to cooperate with a lever I26 pivotedat I26. The upper pawl is somewhat shorter than the lower one andnormally is disposed in the path of movement of the lever I26, whichlatter is thereby held against swinging motion under the influence of aspring I21. At its opposite or forward end the lever I26 is in the formof a bell crank having one arm operatively connected with a bar I28hereinafter referred to as the "release bar," and another arm [29operatively connected with a transversely disposed bar I30 hereinaftercalled the locking bar." The bar I30 has a plurality of notches I3I inits rear edge and to cooperate with such notches, the segments II9 areformed with forwardly protruding lugs I32 normally overlying the notchesI3I.

With this arrangement, upon the depression of one of the keys thecorresponding segment is swung downwardly, its lug I32 being free topass through the corresponding notch I3I in the looking bar. In suchmovement the segment engages the bail bar I20, rocking the shaft I22 andlifting the rear end of the latch operating arm I23 thereby freeing thelever I 26 for movement by its spring I21. In thus tripping the upperpawl I24 of the latch device, the lug I32 of the segment moves entirelythrough its notch I3I of the locking bar. The segment is cut away abovethe lug I32 to provide a notch I33 permitting movement of the lockingbar by the spring actuated lever I26 which imparts a correspondingmovement to the release bar I28 for the purpose of tripping the clutchI0 and releasing the control bars.

As hereinbefore indicated, the clutch I 0 is of the friction type andmay be of the construction shown in my prior Patent No. 1,962,136 issuedJune 12, 1934. Briefly, it comprises driving and driven elements I 35and I36, the former being connected by suitable gearing I31 with asource of power, and the latter connected with the cam shaft section 8(see Fig. 2).. The control element for this clutch is in the form of aflnger I38 (Fig. 15) which when blocked against rotation holds theclutch disengaged against the action of a torsion spring I38. In thepresent instance it is blocked by means of. detent formed by the upperend of a bar I39 hearing at its upper end against a roller I40 andconnected at its lower end with one arm I of a bell crank whose otherarm I42 is connected with the release bar I29.

Upon disengagement of the pawl I24 from the actuating lever I28, therelease bar is shifted rearwardly and through its connection with thedetent bar I39 withdraws the latter from engagement with the clutchfinger I38 thus initiating an operating cycle. In the latter portion ofsuch cycle, a cam I43 on the shaft 9 operates a double roller follower I44 having rigid therewith an arm I43 connected by means of a link I43 7

